"We were the best team throughout. On the night, every player rose to the occasion." - Coventry City's Jason Farndon

11 December 2015

Kieran Crowley

The City coach believes Charlton Athletic will present a difficult test but was delighted with the levels of performances...

Coventry City Under-18s coach Jason Farndon has heaped praise on his side following the 1-0 win over Stoke City in the FA Youth Cup.

The Sky Blues were by far the better side on the night at Leamington as Bassala Sambou scored his seventh FA Youth Cup goal this season to settle the tie.

In truth, the Sky Blues should have added to the scoreline with Jordan Shipley, Jay Albini and substitute Ronee Hendricks going close in the final stages of the game.

Farndon was in no doubt who was the better side on the night and believes the entire XI played their part in the cup upset against the category one side.

The City coach said: "We were the best team throughout. We got our tactics spot on and worked hard on them, and on the night, every player rose to the occasion.

"We dealt with the pitch better than them and our technique was better than theirs, so all round a great night for us and very proud of the lads.

"I said to the players before the match is that when you step up against a category one side, it can't be about the individuals.

"Everyone played their part in tonight's result and we saw a lot of players really show what they can do and it gives them a great platform to build on."

Callum Maycock, Bassala Sambou, Darragh Leahy and Jordan Shipley have all featured for the Under-21s recently and Farndon believes that exposure has helped their progression, and also believes Charlton Athletic will be a tough test in the fourth round.

He added: "The Under-21s exposure has probably helped but they've also been in the building for a long time now. Our second-year scholars have grown over time and we're starting to see the best of them.

"We're currently second in the league table and go into the season break on the back of a really good win which should keep the confidence up around the Academy.

"We've learnt tonight we've got Charlton in the next round. They're a strong side who won their league last season but another performance like tonight, and we've got every chance to progress."